Municipal Alcohol Policy (Events) Amendment

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THIS PROJECT IS COMPLETE


In 2021, Council adopted a Municipal Alcohol Policy, which applies to public events occurring on municipal property that have applied to serve alcohol under the process governed by the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch. The policy was one of the first of its kind in British Columbia, developed with a focus on safety, inclusivity, and community engagement.

The policy is grounded in three guiding principles:

  • Community Health & Safety – This policy aims to promote the health and safety of all people by creating safety protocols and harm-reduction tools to promote thoughtful approaches to the consumption and promotion of alcohol.
  • Engagement and Support – This policy and any amendments thereto will be developed by meaningfully engaging with the public and event producers to support the provision of responsible events.
  • Inclusivity – This policy is drafted with the intent to include people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized at public events, and to recognize and respect the experiences of all community members.

District staff presented the policy to Council for review and discussion at the October 21, 2024, Committee of the Whole meeting. Based on this discussion, Council is considering some administrative amendments to the policy.


What Amendments Are Being Proposed?

The main proposed amendment is as follows:

Approval for the use of municipally owned property for public events serving alcohol must be granted by Council for the first-time assembly.

For subsequent annual events where the event remains substantially the same, permits may be issued by staff under the District’s Delegation of Council Authority Bylaw.

However, Council approval will be required if:

  • The District receives or is made aware of any internal or external complaint;
  • A new event is being proposed, or;
  • The event is substantially different from previous applications.

This change is intended to streamline the permitting process for repeat, well-established events while maintaining oversight for new or significantly altered events.


Community Alcohol Strategy

This Municipal Alcohol Policy will become one component of a broader Community Alcohol Strategy, which is planned for development in 2025/2026. The upcoming strategy will take a more comprehensive approach to alcohol-related policy and community well-being.

THIS PROJECT IS COMPLETE


In 2021, Council adopted a Municipal Alcohol Policy, which applies to public events occurring on municipal property that have applied to serve alcohol under the process governed by the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch. The policy was one of the first of its kind in British Columbia, developed with a focus on safety, inclusivity, and community engagement.

The policy is grounded in three guiding principles:

  • Community Health & Safety – This policy aims to promote the health and safety of all people by creating safety protocols and harm-reduction tools to promote thoughtful approaches to the consumption and promotion of alcohol.
  • Engagement and Support – This policy and any amendments thereto will be developed by meaningfully engaging with the public and event producers to support the provision of responsible events.
  • Inclusivity – This policy is drafted with the intent to include people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized at public events, and to recognize and respect the experiences of all community members.

District staff presented the policy to Council for review and discussion at the October 21, 2024, Committee of the Whole meeting. Based on this discussion, Council is considering some administrative amendments to the policy.


What Amendments Are Being Proposed?

The main proposed amendment is as follows:

Approval for the use of municipally owned property for public events serving alcohol must be granted by Council for the first-time assembly.

For subsequent annual events where the event remains substantially the same, permits may be issued by staff under the District’s Delegation of Council Authority Bylaw.

However, Council approval will be required if:

  • The District receives or is made aware of any internal or external complaint;
  • A new event is being proposed, or;
  • The event is substantially different from previous applications.

This change is intended to streamline the permitting process for repeat, well-established events while maintaining oversight for new or significantly altered events.


Community Alcohol Strategy

This Municipal Alcohol Policy will become one component of a broader Community Alcohol Strategy, which is planned for development in 2025/2026. The upcoming strategy will take a more comprehensive approach to alcohol-related policy and community well-being.

Feedback

Share your thoughts on the amendments to the Municipal Alcohol Policy. 

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

I am in full support of these changes. As one of the 2 main organizers of the annual Tofino Oyster Festival, I am very familiar with the current process required to serve alcohol at our events and while I agree with the need for council to consider new or substantially different events, I think it is an unnecessary waste of council and staff time and effort to continue to require council approval to serve alcohol at the same event year after year.

Ryan Orr 4 months ago
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